Sunuvoru is a minimalist language designed to express complex ideas using a small set of words and rules. Each word has multiple meanings, with its interpretation determined by context. The language combines clarity and conciseness, making communication intuitive and easily understood.
The philosophy of the language reflects a pursuit of simplicity and harmony. Using one word for multiple meanings helps convey ideas with maximum efficiency and allows speakers to easily adapt to the language's structures. In Sunuvoru, each element carries deep meaning, enhancing the overall perception of the world through simplicity.
How is the name of the language translated?
Sunuvoru is a word that reveals the philosophy of the language itself through its components. Each part of the name carries a deep meaning:
su-: a prefix for intensification, which adds more meaning and strength to words.
nu: an indication of "this," "here," emphasizing the relevance and presence in the present moment.
vor: the root meaning "animal," "life," and "nature," symbolizing the connection of the language with living beings and nature.
-u: a diminutive suffix that gives words lightness and small size, creating a sense of simplicity and harmony.
Thus, the name Sunuvoru can be translated as "a language that enhances life and nature, in simplicity and harmony." It reflects the language's strive for precision, depth, and naturalness, as well as its philosophy where even the simplest forms can be meaningful and profound.
Grammar
Alphabet
Sunuvoru uses a simplified alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, v, y, z.
Each letter is pronounced as follows:
a – /ɑ/ (like in English "father")
b – /b/ (like in English "bat")
c – /k/ (like in English "cat")
d – /d/ (like in English "dog")
e – /ɛ/ (like in English "bed")
f – /f/ (like in English "fish")
g – /g/ (like in English "go")
h – /h/ (like in English "hat")
i – /ɪ/ (like in English "sit")
j – /ʒ/ (like in French "jour")
k – /k/ (like in English "key")
l – /l/ (like in English "lamp")
m – /m/ (like in English "man")
n – /n/ (like in English "net")
o – /oʊ/ (like in English "go")
p – /p/ (like in English "pen")
r – /ɹ/ (like in English "red")
s – /s/ (like in English "sit")
t – /t/ (like in English "top")
u – /ʊ/ (like in English "put")
v – /v/ (like in English "van")
y – /aɪ/ (like in English "my")
z – /z/ (like in English "zebra")
Articles
Definite (la): refers to a specific noun.
Example: la lum – "this house".
Indefinite (li): refers to an unspecified noun.
Example: li mal – "some food".
Conjunctions and Particles
For linking ideas, the following conjunctions and particles are used:
an – and, also.
Example: nir tav-a an rim-a. – "The person walks and sings."
na – but, however.
Example: ka-mal-i na rim-y. – "Dirty, but happy."
ki – if, when.
Example: ki rim-a, nir lum-a la lum nu. – "If he wants, the person lives (in the house)."
Demonstrative Words
To add context to sentences, the following demonstrative words are used:
nu – this, here.
Example: la lum nu. – "This house".
mo – there, that.
Example: li vor mo. – "That animal".
Forming Questions
To form questions, the particle ko is placed at the beginning of the sentence:
Ko is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Example: Ko nir tav-a – "Is the person walking?"
Example: Ko la lum fir-i – "Is the house strong?"
Prefixes
ka-: negation or opposition.
Example: kamal – "hunger".
-i: for indicating the plural, several items.
Example: lum-i – "houses" (plural).
-u: diminutive form of the noun.
Example: lum-u – "small house".
Sentence Structure Rules
The sentence structure is as simple as possible. The Sunuvoru language uses standard punctuation: periods to end sentences, commas to separate homogeneous elements and complex constructions, and the question particle "ko" instead of the question mark. However, in simplified form, the language allows a minimalist approach, where punctuation marks can be omitted entirely, leaving only periods to separate sentences.
Basic Word Order:
The basic word order in a sentence is as follows:
Subject
Verb
Object
Example: nir lum-a la mal. – "The person lives in the house."
Describing Objects (with Adjectives):
If you need to add a description of the object (with adjectives), the structure will be as follows:
Subject
Verb
Object + Adjective
Example: nir lum-a li lum fir-i. – "The person lives in the strong house."
Time Forms:
Past and future tenses are conveyed through suffixes on verbs.
Past tense: the suffix -ta is added.
Future tense: the suffix -ru is added.
Example: nir lum-ata la lum nu. – "The person lived in this house."